Caragh Melling

1. 1. lack of breathing analysis tool in NHS Pathways

   “The Ambulance Trust noted that their current triage system, NHS Pathways, does not include this tool. They have instituted a local 'workaround'; a question that asks whether 1 the patient's breathing is 'noisy'. If this is answered affirmatively, agonal breathing is presumed and the call categorised as the fastest response time being required”

2. 2. delayed response to agonal breathing due to missing tool

   “I heard evidence that NHS Pathways were contacted in 2014 to raise the absence of the breathing analysis tool as being a cause for concern. No action appears to have been taken. I also understand that the Medical Director of the Ambulance Trust has again raised concerns at the national level but it is unclear whether any action is being taken.”

3. 3. missing agonal breathing detection tool

   “I heard evidence from the Ambulance Trust that a previous triage system included a tool which could recognise the presence of agonal or inadequate breathing. The call handler would record every point at which the patient was noted to inspire. The tool would then alert the call handler to the presence of inadequate breathing.”

No published response was found on judiciary.uk.